Collect Funds for a Deceased Freelancer’s Estate

To collect money owed to a deceased freelancer, the executor of their estate needs to send all of the following documents to Upwork via email (legalnotices@upwork.com) or mail (Attn: Legal, 441 Logue Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043):

A letter that states the freelancer is deceased and the executor wants to close the freelancer's Upwork account.

A copy of the death certificate.

A copy of the deceased's will or a legal document that identifies the requestor as the executor of the freelancer's estate (a probate court order is preferred).

A copy of the executor's photo ID.

Please allow at least seven business days for Upwork to review the documentation provided. Upon approval, we will close the freelancer's account and all funds in the account will be distributed via the freelancer's previously-designated payment method (ACH, Direct to Local Bank, PayPal, Payoneer, etc.). The estate executor is then responsible for collecting the funds from the payment vendor.